Oxford Health NHS Trust

IPS Peer Employment Specialist - Oxford

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you interested in working with individuals with mental health needs and supporting them with their employment journey?

We are seeking a full time Employment Specialist to join tie IPS team at Oxford Health! This role has been specifically developed for people with lived experience of recovery from mental health problems who want to use that experience to support others in their employment and recovery journey. The post holder will work as part of a community mental health team, maintaining positive and integrated relationships and promoting a holistic approach to recovery through employment.

This role is dynamic and varied. You may be supporting clients to set goals, update CVs and practise interview skills, then meeting employers in the community to discuss roles and workplace flexibility.

There is also a significant administrative element in line with the IPS model, including maintaining case notes, updating records, managing referrals and recording employment outcomes.

We pride ourselves on being a supportive team within Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. If you are passionate, creative, solution focused and good at building hopeful relationships and trust, this could be a rewarding role.

You will work with IPS Team Leaders and Employment Specialists across the county.

Applicants must hold a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

Main duties of the job

Working directly with all relevant stakeholders: the service user, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust staff, partner agencies, employers and people who have experienced mental health challenges themselves, you will support the service users on your caseload to gain and retain paid employment, skilfully using your own experience to help motivate clients.

The role also includes a significant administrative element in line with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. This includes maintaining accurate and timely records, updating case notes, managing referrals, monitoring employment outcomes, coordinating with MDT colleagues and external partners, and ensuring all documentation is completed in accordance with service requirements. Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance client-facing work with administrative responsibilities are essential.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
  • 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
  • NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Lease car scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
  • Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

05 June 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

Depending on experience Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA8035676

Job locations

Oxford Keystone Mental health & Wellbeing Hub

141- 145 Cowley Road

Oxford

OX4 1HU

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of an Employment Specialist in Oxford Health is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment youll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining their CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next, youll be out in the local community approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

We pride ourselves in being a supportive team within a great organisation If you are passionate, creative, solution focused, good at building hopeful relationships and growing trust, a career in IPS could be a varied and rewarding role for you.

You will work with the IPS team leaders and other IPS Employment specialists to assist in the development of the wider service across the county.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of an Employment Specialist in Oxford Health is incredibly dynamic and diverse. One moment youll be working closely with IPS clients to set goals, refining their CVs, or practising interview techniques, the next, youll be out in the local community approaching potential employers and discussing roles and job flexibility.

We pride ourselves in being a supportive team within a great organisation If you are passionate, creative, solution focused, good at building hopeful relationships and growing trust, a career in IPS could be a varied and rewarding role for you.

You will work with the IPS team leaders and other IPS Employment specialists to assist in the development of the wider service across the county.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent (vocational experience/training/ or other qualifications

Desirable

  • Trained in IPS Model
  • Mental Health first Aid or similar

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a Full Driving license and have access to a car

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in supported employment service and/or equivalent experience.
  • Experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar service user group

Desirable

  • Experience of partnership working negotiation and liaison work with other agencies

Experience

Essential

  • Own lived experience of using mental health services / recovery from MH services

Desirable

  • Experience and training undertaken as a Peer support worker

Qualifications

Essential

  • Able to use IT and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent (vocational experience/training/ or other qualifications

Desirable

  • Trained in IPS Model
  • Mental Health first Aid or similar

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a Full Driving license and have access to a car

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in supported employment service and/or equivalent experience.
  • Experience of working with people with mental health problems or a similar service user group

Desirable

  • Experience of partnership working negotiation and liaison work with other agencies

Experience

Essential

  • Own lived experience of using mental health services / recovery from MH services

Desirable

  • Experience and training undertaken as a Peer support worker

Qualifications

Essential

  • Able to use IT and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Oxford Keystone Mental health & Wellbeing Hub

141- 145 Cowley Road

Oxford

OX4 1HU

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Oxford Keystone Mental health & Wellbeing Hub

141- 145 Cowley Road

Oxford

OX4 1HU

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operational Service Manager

Shelley Monaghan

shelley.monaghan@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07500785061

Details

Date posted

05 June 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

Depending on experience Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA8035676

Job locations

Oxford Keystone Mental health & Wellbeing Hub

141- 145 Cowley Road

Oxford

OX4 1HU

United Kingdom


Supporting documents

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